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Research Ecologist, IS-0408-12
Application Deadline: 17 August 2026
Department: National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute
Employment Type: Full Time
Location: Bozeman, MT
Reporting To: Supervisory Ecologist
Compensation: $89,508 / year
Description
OPEN DATE: July 20, 2026
CLOSING DATE: August 17, 2026 (This job will close once 100 applications are received which may be sooner than the closing date.)
SALARY: $89,508/year
POSITION TYPE: Trust Fund
APPOINTMENT TYPE: Temporary Not to Exceed Two (2) years (may be extended based on funds availability)
SCHEDULE: Full Time
DUTY LOCATION: Bozeman, MT
Position sensitivity and risk:Non-sensitive (NS)/Moderate Risk
Who May Apply:
Open to all Qualified Applicants
What are Trust Fund Positions?
Trust Fund positions are unique to the Smithsonian. They are paid for from a variety of sources, including the Smithsonian endowment, revenue from our business activities, donations, grants and contracts. Trust employees are not part of the civil service, nor does trust fund employment lead to Federal status. The salary ranges for trust positions are generally the same as for federal positions and in many cases trust and federal employees work side by side. Trust employees have their own benefit program and may include Health, Dental & Vision Insurance, Life Insurance, Transit/Commuter Benefits, Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance, Annual and Sick Leave, Family Friendly Leave, 403b Retirement Plan, Discounts for Smithsonian Memberships, Museum Stores and Restaurants, Credit Union, Smithsonian Early Enrichment Center (Child Care), Flexible Spending Account (Health & Dependent Care).
Conditions of Employment

• Pass Pre-employment Background Check and Subsequent Background Investigation for position designated as low risk.
• Complete a Probationary Period
• Maintain a Bank Account for Direct Deposit/Electronic Transfer.
• The position is open to all candidates eligible to work in the United States. Proof of eligibility to work in U.S. is not required to apply.
• Applicants must meet all qualification and eligibility requirements within 30 days of the closing date of this announcement.

OVERVIEW
INTRODUCTION
The Smithsonian Institution is the world's largest museum, education, and research complex, with 21 museums and the National Zoo. This position is located in the Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute (NZCBI), Washington, DC. NZCBI plays a leading role in the Smithsonian's global efforts to save wildlife species from extinction and train future generations of conservationists.
SUMMARY
The Smithsonian Institution is seeking a Research Ecologist for its Great Plains Science Program in Montana (https://nationalzoo.si.edu/conservation/great-plains-science). The program conducts basic and applied research and innovates, develops, and implements science-based solutions for the conservation, restoration, and management of healthy grasslands and their biodiversity. The program is focused on:

• Cutting-edge science and technology to conserve and restore imperiled species and advance our understanding and management of grassland ecosystems. Identify how and why grasslands respond to global change and land management.
• Impactful education and capacity building to train and foster the next generation of conservation leaders and practitioners in local communities through workshops, training courses, intern and fellowships.
• Effective partnerships that connect land managers and communities with scientists to ensure effective long-term land management that supports both people and nature.

The Great Plains Science Program is part of the Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute, and the Montana grasslands represent a core site for NZCBI's growing global grassland conservation network which spans across other critical grassland and savanna ecosystems in Mongolia, Kenya, Peru, and Brazil.
LOCATIONGreat Plains Science Program, Bozeman MT, Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• The incumbent is responsible for developing, planning, and executing a highly competitive and innovative research program. The program will focus on theoretical and applied science of restoration and conservation of ecology of grassland and rangeland habitat, primarily in North America's Great Plains. The incumbent will have a broad range of skills allowing them to lead and integrate diverse program components, such as plant identification and inventory, vegetation and habitat monitoring, landscape-scale experimental design, as well as excellent communication skills and experience collaborating with diverse partners including conservation practitioners, ranchers, federal land managers, and Native Nations. The program of research will be consistent with SI's overall mission for understanding and sustaining a biodiverse planet, and SI's mission to aid in the survival and recovery of species and habitats that ensure the health and well-being of animals and ecosystems.
• Designs, develops, and executes a comprehensive research program with multiple scientific research projects focusing on landscape-level conservation, ecology, and restoration of grassland plant communities. The program will span across thematic areas including but not limited to floristic diversity and functional traits, phenology, plant-soil and plant-animal interactions, and plant community response to disturbance regimes including grazing dynamics. The program will also advance prairie conservation and restoration science by linking plant ecology and vegetation dynamics to ecosystem function, resilience, and biodiversity outcomes, and habitat quality for prairie wildlife.
• Utilizes new technology and analytical approaches advancing conservation and restoration of grassland plant communities. Develops, plans, and conducts extensive field work to collect critical data for addressing theoretical and applied research questions.
• Demonstrates ability to independently perform all phases of the complete research process, including problem definition, planning, execution, data analysis, and interpretation of findings. Ensures that all field-based research follows international and institutional standards for animal care and use.
• Secures funds to support research program and field missions from both internal and external sources.
• Prepares scholarly publications of basic and applied research, which address important and novel questions in the scientific field, account for previously unexplained phenomena, or represent an important validation or modification of scientific theory in the topic area.
• Collaborates with scientific researchers from within the SI community and from around the world, to encourage and promote conservation of grassland ecosystems at the landscape scale, as well as research and studies to advance the SI Mission for understanding and sustaining of a biodiversity planet.
• Participates in scientific meetings and symposia, develops scientific papers for presentation and corresponds with scholars and other members of the scientific community involved in the same or similar research.
• Develops a significant academic training program by supporting research of graduate students and post-doctoral students, as well as other professionals carrying out related work.
• Incumbent disseminate research and conservation results to a wide variety of audiences ranging from professional organizations, peer-reviewed scientific journals, funding agencies, students, and the general public.
• This position directs more than one kind of work, each kind representing a requirement for a distinctly different additional body of knowledge, and for which this position provides both technical and administrative supervision.
• This position works in an operation in which work processes and procedures vary constantly because of the impact of changing technology, creating a requirement for extensive training and guidance of the subordinate staff.
• Directs team members in the development and assessment of scientific, educational and training materials.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS
A. Degree: Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in biology or a related field of science underlying ecological research that involved at least 30 semester hours of coursework in basic and applied biological sciences. These hours must have included at least 9 semester hours in biology or ecology, and 12 semester hours in physical and mathematical sciences.
OR
B. Combination of education and experience -- at least 30 semester hours of courses equivalent to a major in any combination of biological sciences, statistics, or mathematics, with required course work as shown in A above, plus appropriate experience or additional education.
Additional Requirements:
A Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree that has equipped applicants with the knowledge, skills, and abilities (described below) necessary to do the work of the position.
SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE
• Demonstrated expertise in botany, restoration ecology and/or rangeland ecology with experience working with graminoids, plant-herbivore interactions, plant community dynamics and/ plant ecosystem ecology.
• Demonstrated experience with plant identification
• Significant data analysis skills using R software and experience working with large datasets.
• Experience designing, organizing, and managing field work.
• Enthusiasm for collaborating with other PIs in SI and across institutions to jointly pursue research topics relevant to both academic and applied audiences.
• Experience with public outreach and working in applied, field-based contexts.
Applicants who wish to qualify based on education completed outside the United States must be deemed equivalent to higher education programs of U.S. Institutions by an organization that specializes in the interpretation of foreign educational credentials. This documentation is the responsibility of the applicant and should be included as part of your application package.
HOW TO APPLY:
CV/Resume must include a description of your paid and non-paid work experience that is related to this job; starting and ending dates of job (month and year); and average number of hours worked per week.
CV/Resume must include the month and year of all degrees earned; professional and relevant volunteer experience; peer-reviewed publications; competitive funding received; any honors or awards received; memberships in professional societies; presentations given at national/international meetings; and names, addresses, and phone numbers of four persons familiar with your scientific stature, contributions, and recognition. Earned academic degrees must be verified with copies of official university transcripts that clearly state the classes taken, degree awarded, the major, and date of conferral.
CV/Resume must clearly identify how you fulfill the SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE to be considered.
Failure to provide this information and documents will result in your application receiving no further consideration.
A cover letter can be included with the application materials to summarize the applicant's training, experience, and interest in the position.
Any false statement in your application may result in your application being rejected and may also result in termination after employment begins.
Join us in "Inspiring Generations through Knowledge and Discovery."
What To Expect Next: Once the vacancy announcement closes, a review of your resume will be compared against the qualification and experience requirements related to this job. After review of applicant resumes is complete, qualified candidates will be referred to the hiring manager.
Relocation expenses are not paid.
The Smithsonian Institution provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities where appropriate. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodation should contact biagasl@si.edu. Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis. To learn more, please review the Smithsonian's Accommodation Procedures.
The Smithsonian Institution is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We believe that a workforce comprising a variety of educational, cultural, and experiential backgrounds support and enhance our daily work life and contribute to the richness of our exhibitions and programs. See Smithsonian EEO program information: www.si.edu/oeema.